Show us your vintage mountain bikes!
11-02-16, 08:41 PM
#5501
Me duelen las nalgas
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 13,513
Bikes: Centurion Ironman, Trek 5900, Univega Via Carisma, Globe Carmel
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Univega Via Carisma (1992, as best I can identify, with Shimano Exage 500 CX group and Bi-Axial Power Oval frame), as I bought it in August. At the time I intended to keep it as-is for an errand bike. The racks and fenders made it a natural for errands.
But I couldn't leave well enough alone. The brake pads appeared to be the original Shimanos and were hard as wood and about as effective at stopping the bike -- IOW, barely at all. It was easier to remove the racks and fenders to swap for Kool Stop Eagle 2 pads, and to adjust the wonky cantilevers. Now it stops properly, if not as well as V-brakes.
Once I got the racks and fenders off I realized I'd want to replace most of the bolts and fasteners. They were a mish-mash of hex, Allen and screw heads, some badly rusted. And the P-clamp holding the front rack didn't suit me. The Univega has a brazed on lug for a front rack, so I decided to save the universal Corratec rack for another bike as a rear rack.
Then I realized the original flat bar was too uncomfortable for me (permanently damaged C2 vertabrae from a car wreck, so the low, stretched out position -- while nearly road bike like in aerodynamics -- was painful after a few miles). So I swapped bars between my Globe Carmel hybrid's more upright riser bar. Now both bikes are much better for me, with bars around an inch or two above saddle height.
The more I studied the Univega, the more I liked it as a long distance and daily recreational bike. Many of my longer rides of 20-60 miles include group rides involving a 20-30 mile round trip just to get to and from the group ride.
So I decided to inspect and, as needed, overhaul the hubs, bottom bracket, headset, etc. It was easier to leave off the racks and fenders. Eventually I'll get another inexpensive hybrid or mountain bike for errands and put the racks and fenders on it.
So here's the Univega Via Carisma, pretty much as it is now. I've since swapped the Innova chevron tread most-terrain tires for Continental Speed Rides, which are really great hybrid tires -- smooth and quiet rolling on pavement, sure footed on gravel/chat trails and dry grass. But at 700x42 nominal width, too wide for the SKS fenders supplied with the bike. I added Kool Stop Eagle 2 salmon pads. And swapped the original plastic Sakae Low Fat pedals for Stolen Pedal Thermalites -- much grippier, more comfortable with casual shoes, and smoother spinning.
I'll install a new chain soon, but first I need to fix the front derailer shifter -- it shifts up well enough, but skips the middle chain ring when downshifting from the largest chain ring. Hopefully just a jammed pawl in the Exage thumb shifter.
Eventually I may swap the original single wall rims for double wall, since Araya specifically stated the original single wall rims were not for off road use. So the Via Carisma was supplied as a cosmetic-sorta-mountain bike, but without the full trimmings of their upper tier line.
But I couldn't leave well enough alone. The brake pads appeared to be the original Shimanos and were hard as wood and about as effective at stopping the bike -- IOW, barely at all. It was easier to remove the racks and fenders to swap for Kool Stop Eagle 2 pads, and to adjust the wonky cantilevers. Now it stops properly, if not as well as V-brakes.
Once I got the racks and fenders off I realized I'd want to replace most of the bolts and fasteners. They were a mish-mash of hex, Allen and screw heads, some badly rusted. And the P-clamp holding the front rack didn't suit me. The Univega has a brazed on lug for a front rack, so I decided to save the universal Corratec rack for another bike as a rear rack.
Then I realized the original flat bar was too uncomfortable for me (permanently damaged C2 vertabrae from a car wreck, so the low, stretched out position -- while nearly road bike like in aerodynamics -- was painful after a few miles). So I swapped bars between my Globe Carmel hybrid's more upright riser bar. Now both bikes are much better for me, with bars around an inch or two above saddle height.
The more I studied the Univega, the more I liked it as a long distance and daily recreational bike. Many of my longer rides of 20-60 miles include group rides involving a 20-30 mile round trip just to get to and from the group ride.
So I decided to inspect and, as needed, overhaul the hubs, bottom bracket, headset, etc. It was easier to leave off the racks and fenders. Eventually I'll get another inexpensive hybrid or mountain bike for errands and put the racks and fenders on it.
So here's the Univega Via Carisma, pretty much as it is now. I've since swapped the Innova chevron tread most-terrain tires for Continental Speed Rides, which are really great hybrid tires -- smooth and quiet rolling on pavement, sure footed on gravel/chat trails and dry grass. But at 700x42 nominal width, too wide for the SKS fenders supplied with the bike. I added Kool Stop Eagle 2 salmon pads. And swapped the original plastic Sakae Low Fat pedals for Stolen Pedal Thermalites -- much grippier, more comfortable with casual shoes, and smoother spinning.
I'll install a new chain soon, but first I need to fix the front derailer shifter -- it shifts up well enough, but skips the middle chain ring when downshifting from the largest chain ring. Hopefully just a jammed pawl in the Exage thumb shifter.
Eventually I may swap the original single wall rims for double wall, since Araya specifically stated the original single wall rims were not for off road use. So the Via Carisma was supplied as a cosmetic-sorta-mountain bike, but without the full trimmings of their upper tier line.
Last edited by canklecat; 11-02-16 at 08:48 PM.
11-11-16, 05:11 PM
#5502
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,662
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
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This was at a local estate sale...
No info other than whoever lived here was into building cruisers. Orinda, CA
No info other than whoever lived here was into building cruisers. Orinda, CA
11-19-16, 10:34 AM
#5503
Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2016
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11-19-16, 10:56 AM
#5504
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,847
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
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11-20-16, 11:45 PM
#5505
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Northern Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 171
Bikes: '80's vintage Dutch framed(Gazelle), Japanese components,set up for city riding and light touring...fenders, rack and bags.
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Are you positive that wasn't a downhill racer pre-mountain era?
That's a weird looking front brake.
Check this out:
The Hippie Daredevils Who Were Just Crazy Enough to Invent Mountain Biking | Collectors Weekly
What you have might be very special.
Bill
11-21-16, 09:40 AM
#5506
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,662
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
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That would be my thoughts. And seeing all the modified frames that were at the sale, I'm pretty sure whoever lived there was involved in the early repack races (repacking the grease in those overheated coaster brakes). Fairfax is well known for their MB heritage, but the east bay had a lively following also. By the way, that bike was tagged for $1600.
11-25-16, 09:56 AM
#5507
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: st lou
Posts: 92
Bikes: cargo-midtail ebike
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Was this from a spray can? I'm asking because I want to repaint my bike... curious if you went through the trouble of stripping/scraping etc before repaint?
Almost done with my 1993 Diamondback Sorrento rebuild. Got the frame for free, no wheels, and shifters and bottom bracket were shot. New paint, bought some used wheels, used some parts laying around, and bought some stuff on Amazon. All together I'm in for about $120...not too bad for a neighborhood cruiser.
How I got it...
After...
How I got it...
After...
11-25-16, 12:35 PM
#5508
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Maryland
Posts: 3,800
Bikes: Lots of English 3-speeds, a couple of old road bikes, 3 mountain bikes, 1 hybrid, and a couple of mash-ups
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1984(?) Schwinn High Sierra
I got this bike back in late September as I recall. I really haven't done anything to it yet other than give it a quick wash and add air to what appear to be the original tires. It seems to be all original. Someone added a Blackburn MTN rear rack. I added a Greenfield stand that attaches to the chain and seat stay, so I could store it easily. This will probably end up as my wife's bike, or maybe my son's. I love the shifters and the weird seat post.
11-25-16, 12:42 PM
#5509
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,435
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
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I just picked up this 1987 Specialized Rockhopper for $40. I'll probably sell it this spring after I fix it up; it will make someone a great townie bike.
12-05-16, 08:14 AM
#5511
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
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Picking this up from a buddy of mine. He has too many MTB and recently got this one at an auction for cheap. Hes selling it to me for cheap. Im excited to get into MTBs as Id love to ride some single tracks,. Anyone tell me a little about Rolands?
12-05-16, 09:01 AM
#5512
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Hi all - just noticed the old Stumpies in previous posts - rekindled the regret I've been suffering ever since I let some guy I met on a group social ride talk me into selling him mine...
Replaced it with this Grizzly, which is a bit younger than Mbrgr1's a couple pages back, that I have slowly grown to love...
Replaced it with this Grizzly, which is a bit younger than Mbrgr1's a couple pages back, that I have slowly grown to love...
12-14-16, 09:08 PM
#5513
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Nampa Idaho
Posts: 1,081
Bikes: 76' Centrurion Pro-Tour, 86' Specialized Rock Hopper, 88' Centurion Iron Man, 89' Bruce Gordon "Hikari", 95' Rock Hopper Ultra.
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Picked up this 94' Breezer earlier this fall. Changes will include a shorter stem, riser bars, thumb shifters, and a Brooks saddle 
[IMG]
IMG_20160921_173140190 by Chris Wilson, on Flickr[/IMG]
[IMG]
IMG_20160921_173140190 by Chris Wilson, on Flickr[/IMG]
12-15-16, 07:41 PM
#5515
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Nampa Idaho
Posts: 1,081
Bikes: 76' Centrurion Pro-Tour, 86' Specialized Rock Hopper, 88' Centurion Iron Man, 89' Bruce Gordon "Hikari", 95' Rock Hopper Ultra.
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12-17-16, 02:12 PM
#5516
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: San Mateo,Ca.
Posts: 3,988
Bikes: TRIMMED DOWN THE HERD
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My (gone now) '87(?) Hardrock Sport. Found this on the side of our dumpster a couple of decades ago.
Served me well on a lot of good rides.
Served me well on a lot of good rides.
12-17-16, 03:36 PM
#5517
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: South of the Twin Cities, MN
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12-18-16, 09:39 AM
#5519
Newbie
Join Date: Aug 2016
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Muddy Fox Sorcerer Pro
This is my new Muddy Fox Sorcerer Pro. 1988 or '89, Tange Infinity tubing, original Deore set with 7 speed thumb shifters, Araya RX-7 wheels. Needed new cables and tires, and a thorough cleaning, the ride is amazing.
12-23-16, 03:33 PM
#5520
Junior Member
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1990 KHS Montaña Pro
bought it fully shimano dx with Gerard Rond suspension fork.
Changed a lot, parts bellow I put on the bike:
ITM handle bar nos
Shimano Deore dx 4 finger grip brake handles
Shimano XT thumbshifters
Ringle peace sign cable hanger
Jagwire brake and shift cables new
Deore dx crankset
Kyuokuto top run race pedals
Deore dx front derailleur nos
Shimano xtr rd-m952 rear derailleur
Shimano deore dx cantilever brakes nos
seatpost new
Ritchey megabite zmax wcs 2.35 inch front nos
Specialized teammaster 2.1 inck back nos
Wheeldisc back nos
and probably more..
Wheels and saddle are orinal. deore dx on ritchey vantage comp and KHS saddle.
Changed a lot, parts bellow I put on the bike:
ITM handle bar nos
Shimano Deore dx 4 finger grip brake handles
Shimano XT thumbshifters
Ringle peace sign cable hanger
Jagwire brake and shift cables new
Deore dx crankset
Kyuokuto top run race pedals
Deore dx front derailleur nos
Shimano xtr rd-m952 rear derailleur
Shimano deore dx cantilever brakes nos
seatpost new
Ritchey megabite zmax wcs 2.35 inch front nos
Specialized teammaster 2.1 inck back nos
Wheeldisc back nos
and probably more..
Wheels and saddle are orinal. deore dx on ritchey vantage comp and KHS saddle.
Last edited by SriKrsnadread; 12-24-16 at 01:50 PM.
12-25-16, 06:58 PM
#5521
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: montana
Posts: 196
Bikes: Early 90's Pinarello Gavia, '84 Guerciotti, '91 GF Hoo Koo e Koo, '88 Giant Iguana, '09 Specialized XC
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Kids just ride
Kids will ride what you build for them and have Fun. Sure, suspension is nice but you can do a lot with thoughtful choice of line and tire pressure. When suspension comes into their lives eventually they will be more thoughtful and stronger technically. Meanwhile keep recycling rigs and saving your $$ for the stuff that's less available. I'm trying to get 6 and 8 year old girls up and running and it's more their overcoming fear of terrain than which equipment they're on. Cheers!
I'm that way with cars, too.
Hey gents, I have a vintage mountain bike question to throw out for comments, opinions, flames, whatever. My kids are starting to outgrow their 20" wheel bikes and I'm looking at bikes with 24" wheels.
As a longtime craigslist user and an enthusiastic (if inexperienced, compared to most of you) amateur bike mechanic, is there any reason NOT to buy an older mountain bike for a child who's ready to move up from 20" wheels to 24"?
An example I spotted on craigslist today is below. As I always say about craigslist, if there's one of something for sale, there will be more. I'm not rushing out to buy this one, but I'm wondering about bikes like this in general. It looks to me to be pretty much just like any other '90s mountain bike, except for wheel size and frame size. I realize that also means the cost to refurbish will be the same as on a full-size bike. I'm okay with that.
Schwinn High Plains 24 - $100
The longer story, if anyone cares: since getting back into cycling in 2013, I've obtained two '90s bikes (three '90s bikes, if you count my wife's) and replaced just about every part on the mountain bike, a '93 rigid MTB that I also did a drop bar conversion on. Yes, you guys have blown my mind with the Drop Bar Conversion thread, and I'll never look at bikes the same way again. I love mine and find myself sneaking peeks at older MTBs in my size on CL and wondering if I shouldn't build another one, because, well...you guys understand, right?
Anyway, I have a repair stand now, and I've been buying tools as needed. I'm comfortable replacing cables and housings and adjusting derailluers and setting up cantilever brakes up properly, and of course swapping "easy" parts like saddles and grips and tires and installing racks and so forth.
What I don't know how to do (yet) or have the tools for (yet) is re-packing bearings, truing (trueing? Both look wrong) wheels, and doing anything at all with bottom brackets. And while I've changed chains, I haven't had to change a cassette yet, but that looks simple once one has the right tool.
Now it looks like almost every 24" new kids mountain bike comes with front suspension, and being a middle-aged guy who rides single-track like a crazy man with a rigid fork and always has, I just don't think they need suspension, and I suspect their bikes will be much lighter and simpler to deal with if they have rigid forks. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking I could refurbish an older rigid 24" like the one I linked above and they'd have a better bike overall, and I might - MIGHT - get away with spending a tiny bit less than what a new one costs, although that is not the specific goal.
To be honest, I guess I see what you guys do in the "before and after" department and I'd to do that for my kids (and have fun doing it, I must admit), instead of just buying one of what every other kid in the neighborhood has.
Am I nuts?
Thanks.
Hey gents, I have a vintage mountain bike question to throw out for comments, opinions, flames, whatever. My kids are starting to outgrow their 20" wheel bikes and I'm looking at bikes with 24" wheels.
As a longtime craigslist user and an enthusiastic (if inexperienced, compared to most of you) amateur bike mechanic, is there any reason NOT to buy an older mountain bike for a child who's ready to move up from 20" wheels to 24"?
An example I spotted on craigslist today is below. As I always say about craigslist, if there's one of something for sale, there will be more. I'm not rushing out to buy this one, but I'm wondering about bikes like this in general. It looks to me to be pretty much just like any other '90s mountain bike, except for wheel size and frame size. I realize that also means the cost to refurbish will be the same as on a full-size bike. I'm okay with that.
Schwinn High Plains 24 - $100
The longer story, if anyone cares: since getting back into cycling in 2013, I've obtained two '90s bikes (three '90s bikes, if you count my wife's) and replaced just about every part on the mountain bike, a '93 rigid MTB that I also did a drop bar conversion on. Yes, you guys have blown my mind with the Drop Bar Conversion thread, and I'll never look at bikes the same way again. I love mine and find myself sneaking peeks at older MTBs in my size on CL and wondering if I shouldn't build another one, because, well...you guys understand, right?
Anyway, I have a repair stand now, and I've been buying tools as needed. I'm comfortable replacing cables and housings and adjusting derailluers and setting up cantilever brakes up properly, and of course swapping "easy" parts like saddles and grips and tires and installing racks and so forth.
What I don't know how to do (yet) or have the tools for (yet) is re-packing bearings, truing (trueing? Both look wrong) wheels, and doing anything at all with bottom brackets. And while I've changed chains, I haven't had to change a cassette yet, but that looks simple once one has the right tool.
Now it looks like almost every 24" new kids mountain bike comes with front suspension, and being a middle-aged guy who rides single-track like a crazy man with a rigid fork and always has, I just don't think they need suspension, and I suspect their bikes will be much lighter and simpler to deal with if they have rigid forks. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm thinking I could refurbish an older rigid 24" like the one I linked above and they'd have a better bike overall, and I might - MIGHT - get away with spending a tiny bit less than what a new one costs, although that is not the specific goal.
To be honest, I guess I see what you guys do in the "before and after" department and I'd to do that for my kids (and have fun doing it, I must admit), instead of just buying one of what every other kid in the neighborhood has.
Am I nuts?
Thanks.
12-25-16, 07:43 PM
#5522
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 2,067
Bikes: 84 Pinarello Trevisio, 86 Guerciotti SLX, 96 Specialized Stumpjumper, 2010 Surly Cross Check, 88 Centurion Prestige, 73 Raleigh Sports, GT Force, Bridgestone MB4
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My Rockhopper undergoing refit as an all around bike and go to the Y bike and possible gravel racer:
My Bridgestone:
J
My Bridgestone:
J
12-28-16, 06:47 PM
#5524
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: montana
Posts: 196
Bikes: Early 90's Pinarello Gavia, '84 Guerciotti, '91 GF Hoo Koo e Koo, '88 Giant Iguana, '09 Specialized XC
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Mongoose Hill Topper
Spotted in the wild, downtown Kansas City. Mongoose Hill Topper, beatiful shape. 
01-02-17, 10:37 PM
#5525
Junior Member
Bianchi & My Ibisses. Love em all.
Old Ibis is still a work in progress. Removed the V-brakes and waiting for another set of red Pauls stoplights to pop up for sake for the front. And a set of old school Kooka or Paul levers. Bought it with Shimano dual control...Can't ride with that. Cranks got replaced with a set of polished M900's as the ones in the pic had a propensity for chain suck & the rings are off the charts expensive.
The bianchi is my favorite, added some blue pin striping when I had to strip the paint due to a BB crack repair.
Old Ibis is still a work in progress. Removed the V-brakes and waiting for another set of red Pauls stoplights to pop up for sake for the front. And a set of old school Kooka or Paul levers. Bought it with Shimano dual control...Can't ride with that. Cranks got replaced with a set of polished M900's as the ones in the pic had a propensity for chain suck & the rings are off the charts expensive.
The bianchi is my favorite, added some blue pin striping when I had to strip the paint due to a BB crack repair.
Last edited by eshew; 01-02-17 at 11:01 PM.